Долина Дикого Человека на Зеленой Горе

Глава 18

Xin Yuan said, "Let's find a city by the sea; the air there is good."

(eight)

Su Tian grew thinner and thinner every day. An Ziyu could see her thinness, but he pretended not to notice.

When three people are involved in a relationship, one person will inevitably be squeezed out.

Su Tian never believed that she was the one who would be squeezed out in the end. Although Xin Yuan had a high level of education and superb medical skills, she could not be a virtuous wife. Her busy work as a doctor already left her with no time to take care of herself, so how could she take care of An Ziyu, who had developed gastritis because he could not eat on time due to surgery?

After stepping off the operating table, An Ziyu wrote down the medical records while gently rubbing her stomach with her hand.

Su Tian opened the thermos and said, "I've saved some food for you."

An Ziyu stared at her in astonishment, her eyes filled with emotion. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke with extreme indifference.

Thank you, but I have some instant noodles. I'll make them for myself later, so I won't trouble you.

Su Tian stood there dumbfounded, clutching the thermos. Xin Yuan happened to witness this scene, and seeing that An Ziyu would rather eat instant noodles than touch Su Tian's delicious food, a triumphant smile silently bloomed on Xin Yuan's face.

Xin Yuan said, "An, your mother called and is urging us to get married soon."

An Ziyu shoveled noodles into his mouth while keeping his eyes glued to the medical record. Hearing Xin Yuan's words, he gave a curt "hmm." It seemed that marriage was like a bowl of instant noodles to him—so ordinary that he didn't need to savor its flavor.

Su Tian lowered her head and walked out, ignoring our sympathy.

(Nine)

Days pass by one by one, and today seems no different from yesterday.

I only heard that An Ziyu and Xin Yuan are decorating their new house. Xin Yuan often calls very loudly about whether a piece of furniture or a curtain should be Western or Chinese style, blue or white, and she doesn't call An Ziyu's cell phone. Instead, she uses the phone in the busiest spot in the office, leaving An Ziyu nowhere to hide and forcing him to mumble "uh-huh" in front of everyone.

We all thought we'd soon be enjoying the wedding favors of these two PhDs. In any case, it's a good thing. The questions about the wedding date gradually drowned out Su Tian's melancholy.

How can a young nurse in a large hospital be compared to a PhD who has returned from studying abroad?

This is how things were supposed to go; although no one says it openly, everyone has already reached a consensus.

However, Su Tian would still leave some delicious food for An Ziyu when he missed his meal.

An Ziyu smiled helplessly and said, "Be my sister."

Su Tian smiled sweetly and called out to her brother in a light and crisp voice, as if they really were siblings.

From then on, whenever Su Tian served him rice, An Ziyu would look at her affectionately and no longer avoid her gaze.

This is the best option; if love doesn't work out, let's be siblings. An Ziyu thought.

(ten)

An Ziyu underwent her last surgery before getting married.

Ten hours later, the operating room door suddenly opened from the inside, and what was rushed out was An Ziyu, who was in a coma.

Blood trickled from the corner of An Ziyu's mouth, his face was ashen, his eyes were closed, and he was still wearing sterile clothing and latex gloves. It is said that Dr. An collapsed right after the surgery.

As soon as the stretcher entered the gastroenterology department, the colleagues began emergency treatment for Dr. An.

Intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, oxygen therapy… By the time Xin Yuan returned from the town hospital where she had been on call, An Ziyu was out of danger. Low blood sugar, gastric ulcer with bleeding—Xin Yuan's face gradually paled as she reviewed An Ziyu's medical records.

She knew that this was because of the bread and instant noodles that An Ziyu had grown tired of eating. The guilt in her heart made her steps toward the ward slow and heavy.

It was early winter; the trees outside the window had bare branches, with one or two withered, yellowish-brown leaves trembling on the branches, cold and lonely. An Ziyu slowly swallowed the crucian carp soup Su Tian fed him, and amidst the warm, fragrant aroma, he couldn't help but ask:

Why are you so good to me?

Su Tian paused for a moment, then said in a low voice: It's still not good enough, otherwise, why would you have fainted?

"That's not your fault!" An Ziyu felt a surge of emotion upon seeing Su Tian's unwarranted self-blame. Something within him cracked open in that instant.

Is it true, as some people say, that meeting you was a heart willingly shattered...?

When Xin Yuan walked in, the two of them were still staring at each other in a daze, unaware of what was happening.

Xin Yuan coughed to acknowledge her presence.

Su Tian turned her head and saw Xin Yuan. She hurriedly turned away, and the soup spoon in her hand slipped and fell to the ground. Su Tian quickly bent down to pick up the broken pieces, trying to avoid Xin Yuan's sharp gaze.

Hiss... Su Tian felt a sharp pain, and beads of blood began to appear on her fair fingers. The broken porcelain shards had sharp, knife-like edges.

How could you be so careless!

An Ziyu grabbed him and hurriedly examined him, his heartache barely concealed.

Xin Yuan felt a pang of sadness, and suddenly realized that the three years she had been with An Ziyu were merely a matter of habit, related to time, but not to love.

(eleven)

An Ziyu personally bandaged Su Tian's finger wound, unaware that Xin Yuan had left.

Xin Yuan called, this time on An Ziyu's cell phone. Su Tian silently finished cleaning up the floor, stepped aside, and looked out the window. She didn't want to hear any more arguments about her.

An Ziyu held the phone to her face. On the other end of the line, Xin Yuan said calmly, "An, I wish you all the best! Miss Su will be a good wife. I'm going to Xi'an for an academic conference. I hope I can have your wedding candy when I come back."

An Ziyu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Su Tian, who was gazing sadly at the falling leaves outside the window. Her face twitched, as if she couldn't adjust her expression for a moment.

Seeing An Ziyu's troubled expression, Su Tian picked up the soup bowl and said in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry, I won't be able to cook fish for you anymore. It's all the fish's fault."

No, An Ziyu suddenly sat up in bed, his fingers touching Su Tian's slender shoulder blades, and pulled her into his arms.

I hope you can cook fish for me for the rest of your life...

From the very beginning, he knew that the reason her fish tasted so good was because of the love she added.

[Modern Era: 011 Grandma's Bridge Blue Tears]

I. Aigarven is simply "Aigarven".

There's a blue bar on Willow Street, and the bartender's surname is Ai, and his name is Ai Jiawen.

When I met him, he had just been working there for three months, and apparently, the bar's business had become much more prosperous because of him.

When the bar owner brought me to him, he seemed indifferent, merely nodding slightly as he continued clanging the silver-plated cocktail shaker filled with ice, his expression haughty. His light blue casual shirt and jeans made him look clean and neat. I forgave his arrogance because I liked clean-cut boys. Regardless of whether he paid me any attention, I would loudly and passionately shout "Ai Jiawen!" The entire blue bar would erupt in laughter at my earth-shattering roar. "This girl probably likes you," the regulars joked with Ai Jiawen. Ai Jiawen frowned, finally losing his temper, and said, "Xu Xiaoxian, if you still want to learn bartending, you can't call me Ai Jiawen." "What else should I call you if not Ai Jiawen? Master Ai?!" I poked my spiky, furry head under his eyelids, blinking my supposedly most feminine eyes. Ai Jiawen took a step back, startled. "Xu Xiaoxian, can't you act like a girl?" "Okay." I jumped onto the bar counter in front of him, sitting on it like an octopus, staring at him intently. Ai Jiawen's face flushed instantly.

A boy who blushes easily working as a bartender is like God taking a nap.

II. Bai Zhenzhen is not Bai Zhenzhen

On the day Bai Zhenzhen arrived, she wore a very white and beautiful dress, looking like a lotus emerging from the water. She attracted not only the customers in the bar but also Ai Jiawen's attention.

Ai Jiawen didn't want me to do anything. She personally mixed the "Azure Sea" she ordered. The blue liquid formed a jewel-like brilliance in the stemmed glass, and Ai Jiawen served it to Bai Zhenzhen, who looked like a princess.

I hope you like it. Ai Jiawen's voice was very soft and warm, unlike her usual cold demeanor.

"Pah! Men are all the same." Bai Zhenzhen muttered as she passed by me, but Ai Jiawen didn't hear her.

Bai Zhenzhen wasn't always called Bai Zhenzhen. Back in Qingshui Street, Bai Zhenzhen said, "You're the only one in this world who's been good to me. You absolutely, positively will never abandon me." At that time, her maternal grandmother had just passed away; she was her last remaining relative.

No, I will always be good to you. I brought the frail Bai Zhenzhen to my home and told my parents that she was my best friend and that I hoped she could live with us.

My father used to be a technician at a repair shop on Qingshui Street. Later, he went into business and opened his own auto parts company. Our family quickly became one of the nouveau riche on Qingshui Street. Of course, a nouveau riche family wouldn't care about supporting another person. Bai Zhenzhen and I got our own house in that very impressive three-story building.

I don't know why my mom gave me the formal name Xu Xiaoxian. Maybe it's because when I was in school, the Legend of the White Snake starring Cecilia Yip was everywhere. Xu Xian was so famous that many women were bewitched by him, even the all-powerful Bai Suzhen was no exception. How could I blame my ordinary, mortal mother?

But my classmates don't call me Xu Xiaoxian. They keep calling me Xu Xian, Xu Xian, Xu Xian.

Bai Xiaoli came over to me and said, "From now on, I will be called Bai Zhenzhen. That way, you won't feel lonely when others scold you."

Having no parents, Bai Xiaoli changed her name to Bai Zhenzhen.

Third, Xu Xiaoxian is not Xu Xian.

Bai Zhenzhen always liked to call me Xu Xian, or my husband. When she called me husband, her face was full of seductive charm, just like a snake demon. The snake demon-like Bai Zhenzhen was very attractive to ordinary people, but my ordinary mother gradually disliked her.

"Let her go!" My mother, whose neck was covered in gold necklaces, roared and threw a pillow at my father, shooing Bai Zhenzhen out of the house.

If she leaves, I'll leave too. I'm the last person in this world who's good to Bai Zhenzhen; I can't abandon her. We rented a simple thatched hut near the university, working part-time while studying. On the sixth day, Dad came, bringing a key to an apartment and a bank savings card with 100,000 yuan.

Dad said, "Live well, and I'll send you money if you need more."

I was so happy to have escaped my increasingly witch-like mother and, under my father's protection, began a blissful independent life with Bai Zhenzhen. Bai Zhenzhen loved white dresses, but I only liked denim. Because Bai Zhenzhen said I looked best in denim, incredibly good-looking.

My dad would come to visit us every week, sometimes I was there, sometimes I wasn't. Around that time, I suddenly became obsessed with basketball. I heard that playing basketball could make you grow taller, and I couldn't let Bai Zhenzhen surpass me, because I had promised to protect her.

One afternoon, I was sweating profusely, carrying my sneakers with broken straps, and walking barefoot home when I suddenly heard strange shouts coming from Bai Zhenzhen's room.

Daddy, Daddy, I love you!

Who is Bai Zhenzhen calling for, Dad? I walked barefoot on the cold floor and quietly pushed open Bai Zhenzhen's door.

The father was lying on top of Bai Zhenzhen, his eyes closed, and he was moving vigorously.

I threw a pair of smelly shoes at them, and one of them ran away crying.

IV. Grandma's Bridge or Blue Tears?

"Your cocktail is delicious." Bai Zhenzhen said to Ai Jiawen with an elegant smile.

"Really?" Ai Jiawen was somewhat flattered, as if this was the first time he had heard such praise. Ai Jiawen sat down opposite Bai Zhenzhen, his eyes shining, and said, "It's my treat."

But this wine isn't like the azure sea, because it's not bitter enough. Bai Zhenzhen continued to smile alluringly, like a flower in full bloom, its enchanting fragrance spreading far and wide from its heart.

This drink is called Blue Tears. I made it based on the azure sea. Because I added a little bit of absinthe and soda, it's not as salty as the azure sea, but it has a slightly bitter taste. It can be served as a table wine or an aperitif. You're really amazing. Bai Zhenzhen looked at Ai Jiawen with a seemingly admiring gaze. But I like to call it Grandma's Bridge because it looks like the water under Grandma's Bridge. Although it's a bit bitter and astringent, it's very warm. Hmm. Ai Jiawen nodded vigorously because he knew that Bai Zhenzhen loved her grandmother the most, and that she and her grandmother had once depended on each other for survival.

Blue tears are blue tears. I defiantly pushed Ai Jiawen aside and sat opposite Bai Zhenzhen. Grandma's Bridge is a legend now; do you think people still believe in legends these days?

Bai Zhenzhen smiled as she watched my exasperation, then gently tilted her head and asked in a very gentle voice, "Jiawen, do you believe me?"

I believe it. That clueless Ai Jiawen has fallen under Bai Zhenzhen's spell and is taking my concern for granted.

I told her, "Ai Jiawen, if you don't work properly, you're going to get fired."

At that time, Bai Zhenzhen came to the Blue Bar almost every day. As soon as she arrived, Ai Jiawen had no mind to continue mixing drinks for the customers.

V. Who is lying to whom?

I want to show you what kind of Snow White you have in mind. I dragged Ai Jiawen along, ignoring his indignation and protests, and we went back to the neighborhood where I used to live.

A very familiar silver-gray sedan flashed past us; I recognized it as my dad's car.

Ai Jiawen, open your dog eyes and take a good look! That man is Bai Zhenzhen's lover. I watched as Bai Zhenzhen eagerly took the shopping bags from her father's hands, hooked her arm around his, and walked into the building.

Impossible! Ai Jiawen strained her eyes to see what was happening before her. How could such a good girl like Bai Zhenzhen be the lover of a middle-aged man?

"You were following me?" Bai Zhenzhen glanced at me suspiciously behind the bar, then suddenly smiled and said, "That person is my father. You don't mind that I'm a wealthy businessman's daughter, do you?"

"Ah, no, I just suddenly saw it and was a little curious. Please don't be angry," Ai Jiawen explained hurriedly, afraid that Bai Zhenzhen would suddenly look down on him.

Although my family is wealthy, I've always had a good temper and I don't get angry. Bai Zhenzhen's eyes curved into crescents as she sipped her "Grandma's Bridge" drink through a straw, then ignored Ai Jiawen.